Nightfall Terror
The evening was quiet as Ellen stood beside Mason, helping him straighten his shirt collar while he finished getting ready to leave for the office. She adjusted his tie, her hands resting there longer than necessary, an uneasy feeling growing in her chest.
"Do you really have to go tonight?" she asked. Her gaze searched his face, hoping for a different answer.
Mason offered her a small, reassuring smile. He reached up, covering her hand with his own. "It's urgent, Ellen," he explained gently. "Something I need to handle directly myself. But don't worry," he added, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, "I won't be gone long. I'll be back as soon as it's taken care of."
Ellen nodded, trying to match his smile, though the knot in her stomach hadn't eased. She trusted Mason, but something about tonight felt… different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.